Electric motor controller



Dec. 3, 1935. R, G. LOCKETT 2,022,862

ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTROLLER Fil'ed May 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a a o a o n a a u o on Dec, 3, 1935. d R LQCKETT 2,022,862

ELECTRI C MOTOR CONTROLLER Filed May 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lil Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT F EQE Cutler-Hammer, Ina, poration of Delaware lvlilwauhee, Wis, a cor- Application May 3, 1934, Serial N 0. 723,674

18 Claims.

' This invention relates to improvements in electric motor controllers, and more particularly relates to improvements in control means for the driving motors of washing machines and the like.

In the operation of washing machines of the rotary cylinder type it is desired to effect accurate stopping of the cylinder in a predetermined rotary or angular position or in any one of a number of predetermined positions and it is an object of the present invention to provide automatic control means for the driving motors of washing machines to efiect stopping of the cylinder in the desired manner aforementioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control system including means to be driven by the reversible driving motor of a washing machine to effect operation of the motor in a manner to provide for accurately stopping the rotary cylinder of the machine in a predeter- .mined position.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the embodiments illustrated may be modified in certain respects without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 schematically and diagrammatically illustrates my invention embodied in a control system for the driving motor of a washing machine. I

Fig. 2 illustrates a modified form of motor control system embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates in detail certain of the mechanical and electrical elements shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the numeral l designates in general a motor operated washing machine of a known type, to the control of operation of which the means herein described are particularly adapted. Said washing machine comprises .an inner cylinder or container 2 which is rotatably supported within a stationary tub or casing 3. The interior of the cylinder 2 may be divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being provided with a movable cover, one of which is shown at fi. in register with an opening in the tub 3. A door 5 on tub 3 when in open position, as shown, provides access to the cylinder 2, and when closed is adapted to seal the opening in said tub to render the same watertight.

Two normally open switches 5 and l are mounted on the tub 3 and the same are adapted to bemechanically operated to closed position selectively by the tub door 5 when the latter is moved into its fully closed or fully open position. The contacts 6 and l respectively, of switches 5 and l are shown diagrammatically in .Fig. '1. 5

The cylinder 2 is arranged to be driven by a motor 8 through the medium of a shaft 9 and a gear drive indicated at Hi. Motor 8 is adapted to be supplied with current from a suitable source of supply represented by lines L L L subject 10 to control by the electromagnetically operable switches F and R, accelerating switch it and a reversing and accelerating drum D. Drum D, as shown, is adapted to be continuously driven unidirectionally by a pilot motor 52. Said drum comprises a set or" stationary contacts it to 16, inclusive, and the movable contacts lS I4 l5 N3 and 16'.

A manually operable selector switch H, a transfer switch it and a drum type switch is, the 20 latter being driven by the motor 8 through the medium of a suitable gear drive indicated at 20, are jointly adapted to effect control of said motor in a manner to provide for stopping the cylinder 2 in anyone of a number of preselectable positions thus bringing the desiredone of the cylinder doors 3 into register with the tub door 5. The selector switch it comprises three stationary contacts 2i, 22, 23 and a manually operable contactor 2 which is selectively engageable with said stationary contacts,

Associated with the contactor 26 is a cam member 25 which is arranged to engage a roller follower 26 upon movement of said contactor from its illustrate-d oii" position into engagement with any of the stationary contacts 2!, 22, 23 to there by efiect actuation of the transfer switch i3. Said transfer switch is provided with normally closed contacts 21, 28 and the contactors 29, til, 3!, each of the latter being normally in engagement with an associated lower contact 29 30 3%, respectively, and being movable into engagement with the respective upper contacts 2t 3t 3% simultaneously with movement of N contacts 27, 28 to open position.

The drum switch 59 comprises the movable contacts or segments 3t, and a set of stationary contacts 34 to 38, inclusive, the movable contacts 32, .33 being rotatably operated by the motor 8 through the aforementioned drive 253. The stationary contacts 35, 3t, 31 of drum switch l9 are connected to the stationary contacts 23, 22, M, respectively, of the selector switch l! and it is to be noted that the contacts 2!, 22, 23 and the contacts 35, 38, 3'5 correspond in number to the number of compartments in the cylinder 2.

An electromagnetically operated brake 48 is associated with thedrive shaft 9, said brake being rendered effective to stop the washing machine when power connections for the motor 8 are interrupted in any one of several ways to be hereinafter described. A line switch 2! is adapted to connect the aforedescribed control system to lines L L L The operation of the control system is as follows:

Assuming closure of the tub door 5, the contacts 8 of the door switch 8 will be closed and the contacts I of the door switch I will be open, and assuming closure of the line switch 4|, an energizing circuit for release of brake 40 will be established, said circuit extending from line L through the outside contacts of 6 through down contact 29 and contactor 29 of transfer switch I8 and through the winding of said brake to line L Further assuming operation of the pilot motor I2, an energizing circuit will be established for one or the other of the motor switches F or R, depending upon the position of drum D. However, assuming the position of drum D to be as illustrated an energizing circuit will be established for the switch F when the movable contact I4 engages the stationary contact It, said circuit extending from line L through the outside contacts of 8*, through contacts 2? of transfer switch i8, through stationary contact I3, movable contacts I3 I4 and stationary contact I4 of drum D, through down contact 38 and contactor 33 of transfer switch l8 and through the winding of switch F to line L Switch F responds to establish power connections for the motor 8 through resistances r W, T to effect operation of said motor in the forward direction at slow speed.

Continued rotation of drum D effects engagement of the movable contact it with the stationary contact I8, establishing for the accelerating switch it an energizing circuit extending from line L through the outside contacts of 8, contacts 27 of transfer switch I8, through stationary contact i3, movable contacts I3 Iii and stationary contact it of drum D, through contacts 28 of said transfer switch and through the winding of said accelerating switch to line L Switch Ii responds to short-circuit the resistances r W, T to effect operation of the motor in the forward direction at full speed.

Continued rotation of drum D disengage-s movable contacts l l it from the stationary contacts Hi, I6, respectively, thereby deenergizing switches F and Il, whereupon the motor 8 and the parts driven thereby will coast until the movable contact iB is rotated into engagement with the stationary contact it to establish for the switch R an energizing circuit extending from line L through the outside contacts of 6 contacts 27, through the stationary contact l3, movable contacts l3 I5 and stationary contact I5 of drum D, through the down contact 3H and contactor SI of transfer switch I8 and through the winding of switch R to line L Switch R responds to establish power connections for motor 8 through resistances 1' r T3 to effect operation of said motor in the reverse direction at slow speed.

Continued rotation of drum D effects engagement of the movable contact Ni with the stationary contact is", establishing for the accelerating switch I I an energizing circuit extending from line L through the outside contacts of 8, con tacts 21, through stationary contact I3, movable contacts I3 [8 and stationary contact I6,

through contacts 28 and through the winding of switch II to line L Switch I I responds to short-circuit the resistances r r 1 to effect operation of motor 8 in the reverse direction at full speed.

The aforedescribed circuit connections are alternated periodically by the drum D pending the performance of any of the following manual operations; (1) theline switch 4I may be opened to interrupt power connections to the control system, whereupon the brake 4n acts to stop the motor 8 and cylinder 2; or (2) the tub door 5 may be opened'to effect opening of the contacts Ii of door switch 6, thereby interrupting the energizing connections through drum D and effecting application of the brake 48; or (3) the contactor 24 of selector switch I I may be moved into engagement with one of the stationary contacts 2I, 22 or 23, thereby effecting stopping of the washing machine in the following manner:

Assuming that the washing machine is operating in the manner aforedescribed and that it is desired to stop the cylinder 2 in the position illustrated, that is, with the door 4 of the cylinder compartment corresponding to stationary, contact 22 brought into register with the tub door 5.

If the tub door 5 is left'closed, contacts Ii of door switch 6 will be closed. Movement of contactor 24 into engagement with the stationary contact 22 actuates the transfer switch I8 in the manner aforedescribed. Opening of contacts 21 and 28 interrupts circuit connections to drum D and the winding of accelerating switch II, respectively. The brake 48 will be energized through alternative circuits including either the contacts 42 or the contacts 43 of motor switches F and R, respectively, and the contacts 28, 29 of transfer switch I8. If neither of the switches F, R is energized at the time of movement of the transfer switch I8, the brake 40 will be applied. However, momentum of the cylinder 2 and motor 8 carries the movable contacts 32, 33 around to establish an energizing circuit for either of the switches F or R, depending upon the position of said movable contacts. If for switch F, the circuit extends from line L through the left-hand and middle contacts of 6 through contactor 24 and contact 22 of selector switch II, through contacts 36, 32 and 34 of drum switch I9, through contacts 36 38 of transfer switch I8 and through the winding of switch F to line L Response of switch F effects operation of motor 8 in a forward direction at slow speed. The brake 48 is energized through contacts 42 and 29 29. Motor 8 operates in a forward direction until the contact 32 disengages contact 36 where- 'upon switch F drops out to deenergize motor 8 and the brake 48.

If the cylinder 2 and motor 8 coast to effect engagement of contact 33 with contact 36 an energizing circuit will be established for switch R from line L through the left-hand and middle contacts of 6 through contactor 24 and contact 22, through contacts 38, 33, 38 through contacts 3I SI of transfer switch I8 and through the winding of switch R to line L Switch R responds to effect operation of motor 8 in the reverse direction at slow speed and the brake 40 is energized through contacts 43 and 29 29. Said motor operates in the reverse direction at slow speed until the contact 33 disengages contact 36 whereupon switch Rdrops out to deenergize said motor and the brake 49.

If, again, the contact 32 engages the contact 36 the motor 8 operates in the forward direction.

'The circuit connections for motor 8 are alternated in this manner to insure a decreasing amplitude of oscillation of the washer cylinder until the latter is brought to rest, which is when the contacts 32, 33 come to rest with the stationary contact 36 intermediate the same.

If it is subsequently desired to bring into register with the tub door one of the other compartments of cylinder 2, the contactor 24 is moved from stationary contact 22 to either of the Sta-- tionary contacts 2i or 23, whereupon the drum switch l9 effects operation of the motor 8 in the manner a'foredescribed to move the cylinder 2 into the selected position.

Positioning of the cylinder 2 can also be effected with the tub door 5 in fully open position, in which position the contacts l of door switch I will be closed and the contacts 6 of door switch 6 will be open. The aforedescribed control circuits through the selector switch I! and the drum switch I9 are then completed through the con tacts "l The modified system shown in Fig. 2 is adapted to control the positioning of the cylinder 2 through the medium of cam-operated limit switches shown at 5B and 5|. The cams so and 5H of switches 56 and 5! are shown as being mounted upon a shaft 25 which is driven by the motor 8 through the gear drive 26. Fig. 3 illustrates the relative positions of the cam projections 521* and 51 It will be noted that said projections overlap only a relatively small amount, and consequently the switches 59 and 5| are open simultaneously only during a relatively small degree of rotation of the shaft 29 The gear drive 2t is preferably arranged to effect one complete revolution of shaft 3!? during movement of cylinder 2 through an angle corresponding to each of its respective compartments. Thus if said cylinder is divided into three compartments, three revolutions of said shaft are effected during each revolution of said cylinder. The cam projections 55 and 5! are arranged to overlap at a point Where they engage both rollers 50 and 51 simultaneously with the accurate positioning of any one of the cylinder doors 4 in register with the tub door 5.

Periodic reversal and acceleration of motor 8 is controlled substantially as described in connection with Fig. 1, through the medium of switches F and R, accelerating switch I! and a reversing and accelerating drum D. A relay 52, provided with normally open contacts 53, 5d and 55 and normally closed contacts 56 and 51, is adapted to provide for connection of drum D to line L and to effect energization of brake All through a relay 58.

The system further includes a relay 59, having normally open contacts 50 and normally closed contacts 6| a relay 62; a relay 63, having normally closed contacts 64 and normally open contacts 55; a relay 55 having normally closed contacts 67 and normally open contacts 58, and a manually operable, normally open push-button switch 69. The brake 40 and the pilot motor l2 are supplied from a suitable source of direct cur rent, indicated at lines L L and are adapted to be connected thereto by the line switch it. A switch H is shown connected in parallel with the door switch contacts l and -aswill be described is adapted tocontrol operation of the foregoing system in a manner to provide for positioning the cylinder 2 so as to bringthe door 4, which is nearest the tub door 5 at'the time: the latter is opened, in register with said tub door.

The system will be described first as it operates 5 with the switch I! open, in which case, as will be apparent from the following, the system acts to deenergize the motor 8 and apply the brake 58 immediately upon opening of the tub door 5.

With the line switch it closed the pilot motor 10 I2 operates to rotate the drum D and with line switch 4! closed, closure of the tub door 5 effects opening of the contacts i of door switch I and closure of the contacts 6 of door switch 6, establishing for relay 52 an energizing circuit extending from line L through contacts 5 of door switch 6 and the winding of relay 52 to line L Relay 52 responds to connect the stationary contacts l3 and i6 of drum D to line L through contacts 53 and 54, respectively, and to effect release of brake id through relay 58, said relay being energized through contacts 55. Response of relay 52 also effects. opening of its contacts 5% and 5?. An energizing circuit for relay 59 is also completed through contacts 55 of relay 52, effecting closure of contacts 6!! of relay 59 and opening of contacts iii. Movement of drum D from the position illustrated establishes an energizing circuit for the switch R extending from line L through contacts 53 of relay 52, through stationary contact 53, movable contacts l3 l5 and stationary contact: i5 of said drum, through normally closed contacts i i of relay 6% and through the winding of switch R to line L Switch R responds to establish power connections through resistances r r r for reverse operation of motor 8 at slow speed. Simultaneously with energization of switch R- an energizing circuit is established for relay 53 extending from line L through contacts 5'3! of relay $5 as aforedescribed, and through the winding of relayEii-l to line L Relay 63 responds to open its contacts 64 and close its contacts 65.

Further movement of drum D efiects energization of accelerating switch H by a circuit extending from line L through contacts 53 and 5 2 of relay 52, through stationary contact 55, movable contacts it", li and stationary contact 72 of said drum and through the winding of switch I to line L Switch it responds to short-circuit resistances r r r to effect reverse operation of the motor at full speed.

Further movement of the drum D effects deenergization of the switches R and i l and of relay 63 and subsequently establishes an ener- 5 gizing circuit for the switch F and relay 6%, said circuit extending from line L through contacts 53, through contacts It, us to and It of'said drum, through normally closed contacts 5 of relay 63 and through the windings of switch F and 50 relay 66 to line L Switch F responds to establish power connections through resistances r W, T for forward operation of motor 3 at slow speed. Response of relay 6% opens contacts 8? and closes contacts 68.

Further movement of drum D effects energization of the switch H by a circuit extending from line L through contacts 53 and 5d of relay 52, through contacts It, th and i2 of said drum and through the winding of switch ll to! line L Switch H responds to short-circuit resistances r r 1" to effect forward operation of the motor at full speed.

The aforedescribed circuit connections are alternated periodically by the drum D pending" opening of the tub door 5 which effects opening of the contacts 5 of door switch 6. Deenergization of relay 52 results, thus interrupting the erated substantially simultaneously with opening of the tub door 5 or at any time after the machine has stopped. Thus, with the tub door 5 in full open position, the door switch 1 is closed, and upon depression of push-button switch 69, an energizing circuit for relays 58 and 59 is established, said circuit extending from line L through contacts l through contacts 55 of relay 52, through push-button switch 59, and through the windings of relays 58 and 59 to line L Response of relay 58 effects release of brake 48 while response of relay 55 opens contacts ill and closes contacts 55, completing an energizing circuit for the switch F and for relay 65, said circuit extending from line L through contacts i contacts 55, through contacts Bil, through contacts 54 of relay 53 and through the windings of switch F and relay 55 to line L Switch F responds to establish power connections through resistances r r 1 to effect forward operation of motor 8 at slow speed. Response of relay 68 opens contacts 51 and closes contacts 58, establishing an energizing circuit for relay 52 extending from line L through contacts i contacts 55, through contacts 58, through contacts 5'! of relay 5'2 and through the winding of relay 52 to line L Push-button switch 59 is held depressed. until the cylinder 2 has rotated into approximately the desired position. -In this connection it may be noted that the individual compartments of cylinder 2 may be marked with distinguishing indicia in order to facilitate positioning of the desired compartment in register with the tub door 5. Upon release of said push-button switch relays 58 and 59 are deenergized, opening of the contacts of relay 58 effecting application of brake 48. Relay 62 is maintained energized through its own contacts and an energizing circuit is established for either switch F or switch R, depending upon the position of cams 5 I If the cylinder 2 has not moved far enough forward, the energizing circuit for switch F is maintained through door switch contacts l contacts 55 of relay 52, through the'contacts of relay 52, contacts 5'! of. relay 52, through the cam-operated switch 58, contacts 64 of relay 63 and through the windings of switch F and relay 56. When the roller 58 is lifted by cam projection 55 at the point where the cam projections overlap, switch 58 is opened, deenergizing switch F and relay 58. If the momentum of the cylinder 2 and motor 8 effects rotation of the cams far enough forward, the roller 5l will drop off the cam projection 5| at the point where the projections overlap, closing switch 5|, thus energizing switch R and relay 63 by a circuit extending through the contacts of relay 62 as aforedescribed, through contacts 6| of relay 59, through switch 5|, through contacts 8'5 of relay 56 and through the windings of switch R and relay 63. Response of switch R establishes power connections for reverse operation of. motor 8 at slow speed. The cylinder 2 is rotated in the reverse direction until the cam projection 5| lifts the roller 5|, opening switch 5| to deenergize switch R and relay 63.

If the cylinder 2 rotates too far in the reverse direction, the switch 58 will again be closed to energize switch F to effect operation of the motor in the forward direction at slow speed.

Operation of the motor 8 is controlled in the aforedescribed manner through a decreasing amplitude of oscillation until it comes to rest, which is when the cams 58 5| come to rest with both the rollers 59, 5| in the raised positions illustrated in Figs, 2 and 3.

Now, considering operation of the system with the switch 1| in closed position; if the system is assumed to be effecting automatic periodic forward and reverse operation of the motor 8 as aforedescribed, immediately upon opening of the tub door 5, the system will act to control positioning of. the cylinder to bring the cylinder door 5, which is nearest said tub door at the time the latter is opened, in register with said tub door. It is to be understood that by the nearest cylinder door is meant the door which will next come into register with the tub door as determined by the direction in which the cylinder is rotating at the time the tub door is opened.

When the tub door 5 is opened, the contacts 6 of door switch 5 will immediately open to effect deenergization of relay 572 which drops out relays 58 and 58 through opening of contacts 55, effecting application of brake so. However, as will be noted, the stationary contacts of 53, 54, and 56 of said relay are arranged so that the contacts 56 will close before the contacts 53 and 54 open. Deenergization of relay 52 also insures immediate dropping out of accelerating switch through opening of contacts 53 and 54, if switch H is energized at the time through the medium of drum D Now assuming forward operation of the motor 8 at the time the tub door 5 is opened, the energizing circuit for switch F and relays 56 and 62 will be maintained. The circuit for relay 62 extends from Line L through switch 'il, contacts 56 of relay 52 and through the contacts and winding of relay 62 to line L The circuit for switch F and relay 65 extends from line L through switch H, contacts 56 to relay 52, through contacts 68 of relay 66, through switch 58 and contacts 64 of relay 53 and through the windings of switch F and relay 55 to line L Upon response of switch F, the motor 8 operates in the forward direction with the brake 48 applied until the switch 50 is opened, then if the forward momentum of cylinder2 and motor 8 is great enough, the switch 5| is closed to effect operation of said motor in the reverse direction. The motor 8 is thus controlled by switches 5i) and 5| to operate through a decreasing amplitude of oscillation until it finally comes 'to rest.

If it is subsequently desired to bring into register with the tub door 5 one of the other compartments of cylinder 2, the pushbutton switch 59 is depressed to effect forward operation of the motor 8 at slow speed until said cylinder is moved into approximately the desired position, whereupon the push-button switch is released, and the cylinder is accurately brought to position by the aforedescribed operation of switches 55 and 5|.

Although the aforedescribed arrangement of the gear drive is preferable, it is obvious that the same may. be arranged to provide for rotation of shaft 20 at other rates relative to the rate of rotation of cylinder 2. For example, the gear drive 20 may be arranged to rotate shaft 20 at the same rate of rotation as that of the cylinder 2, in which case provision can be made for automatically registering one of. the compartments of said cylinder with the door 5, as aforedescribed. The other compartments of the cylinder are subsequently brought into register with said door by operation of push-button switch 6% to effect inching of the driving motor 3.

What I claim as new and. desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a controller for motor driven devices, in combination, a rotatably driven element, a reversible motor for driving the same, control means for said motor including means for automatically, effecting periodic reversal of the same, and means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered efiective at will for initiating stopping of said element in a predetermined angular position, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said element is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said predetermined position in the event of overtravel of said element to either side of said position during the stopping operation.

2. In a controller for motor driven devices, in combination, a rotatably driven element, a reversible motor for driving the same, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal of the same, and means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective at will for initiating stopping of said element in any one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions selectively, said last mentioned means being operable automatically to efiect control of said motor in a manner whereby said element is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said predetermined position in the event of overtravel of said element to either side of said position during the stopping operation.

3. In a controller for motor driven devices, in combination, a rotatably driven element, a reversible motor for driving the same, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal of the same, and means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective at will for initiating stopping of said element in a predetermined angular position, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to eiTect control of said motor in a manner whereby said element is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said predetermined position in the event of overtravel of said element to either side of said position during the stopping operation, and cooperating braking means to be rendered effective to reduce overtravel of said element and to eventually stop and hold the same in said position.

i. In a controller for motor driven devices, in combination, a rot-atably driven element, a reversible motor for driving the same, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal of the same, and means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective at will for stopping said element in any one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions selectively, said lastmentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said element is rotated through a decreasing amplitude of oscillation into said predetermined position, and cooperating braking means for reducing the oscillation of said element and for eventually stopping and holding the same in said predetermined angular position.

5. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub and a washer cylinder within the same, a periodically reversible motor for rot tably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered at will effective to direct stopping oi said cylinder in a predetermined angular position, said last-mentioned means being operable to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into a predetermined position in the event of overtravel of the same to either side of said position during the stopping operation, and cooperating electro-mechanical braking means adapted to effect reduction of cylinder overtravel and to eventuaiiy stop and hold the cylinder in said position.

6. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub and a washer cylinder within the a periodically reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means driven by said motor adapted to be rendered eiiective at will to direct stopping of said cylinder in any one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions selectively, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into a selected position in the event of o-vertravel of the same to either side of said position during the stopping operation, and automatically controlled mechanical braking means for gradually effecting reduction of overtravel of the cylinder and for finally stopping and holding said cylinder in the selected position.

7. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub and a washer cylinder within the same, a periodically reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective at will for initiating stopping of said cylinder in one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically upon initiation of the stopping operation to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said predetermined position in the event of overtravel of the same to either side of said position, manually operable means associated with said lastmentioned means for rendering the same effec-- tive and for selecting the position in which said cylinder is to be stopped, and automatically controlled mechanical braking means rendered effective during the stopping operation for reducing cvertravel of the cylinder and for finally stopping and holding said cylinder in the selected position.

8. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments; a periodically reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective at will to direct stopping of said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments is in register with said tub door, said last-men ioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel or said cylinder to either sideof said position during the stopping operation, automatically controlled mechanical braking means for effecting reduction of overtravel of the cylinder and for finally stopping and holding said cylinder in said registering position, and manually operable means associated with said motor driven means for selectively effecting registry of any other of said compartments with said door.

9. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically eifecting periodic reversal and acceleration of the same, means operable at will to initiate stopping of said motor, said means including means adapted to be rendered effective for stopping the motor with said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said last-mentioned means including means driven by said motor and adapted upon initiation of said stopping operation to automatically eifect operation of the motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel of the same to either side of said registering position, means associated with said last-mentioned means to render the same effective for selectively registering any one of said compartments with said door, and cooperating automatically controlled mechanical braking means adapted to be rendered effective during the stopping operation to reduce overtravel of said cylinder and to finally stop and hold the same in the selected registered position.

10. In a controller for motor driven Washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of the same, means operable at will to initiate stopping of said motor, said means including means adapted to be rendered eifective for stopping the motor with said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said last-mentioned means including means driven by said motor and adapted upon initiation of said stopping operation to automatically efiect operation of the motor under insured conditions of reduced speed in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and-door registering position in the event of overtravel of the same to either side of said registering position, means associated with said last-mentioned means to render the same eifective upon opening of said door to register with said door the compartment nearest the same as determined by the direction of rotation of said cylinder at the time said door is opened, means for subsequently rendering the automatic registering means effective to stop said cylinder in any one of the compartment and door registering positions selectively, and cooperating automatically controlled mechanical braking means to be rendered effective during the stopping operation to reduce overtravel of said cylinder and to finally stop and hold the same in each of said registered positions respectively.

11. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of the same, said last-mentioned means including a pair of reversing switches, means adapted to be rendered effective for stopping said cylinder in any one of the positions selectively wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said last-mentioned means including a drum rotatably driven by said motor, said drum comprising a pair of electrically separated contact members, said contact members being separated in part by a diagonally disposed neutral area, a plurality of stationary contacts arranged for cooperative engagement with said contact members, certain of said stationary contacts being arranged for engagement individually with said neutral area simul taneously with registry of the respective compartments with said door, manually operable means for selectively rendering said last-mentioned stationary contacts efiective conjointly with said contact members and certain other of said stationary contacts to effect operation of said reversing switches alternately to control operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into a selected compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel of said cylinder to either side of said position, and cooperating electro -mechanical braking means adapted to be rendered effective during the stopping operation at any time that the cylinder is in the selected registered position for reducing overtravel of the cylinder and for finally stopping and holding the same in said position.

12. In a controller for motor driven washin machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of the same, said last-mentioned means including a pair of reversing switches, means for automatically stopping said cylinder in any one of the positions wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said means inoluclinga pair of normally closed switches adapted to be operated to open position by cam members rotatably driven by said motor, said cam members being arranged to operate both of said last mentioned switches to open position when the cylinder is in any one of the compartment and door registering positions, manually operable means for selecting the compartment and door registering position in ing the stopping operation for reducing overtravel of said cylinder and said motor and for finally stopping holding said cylinder in the selected registering position.

13. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of said motor, means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective to automatically efiect accurate stopping or" said cylinder in any one of the positions wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said last-mentioned means being effective to operate said motor under insured conditions of reduced speed in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel of said cylinder to either side of said position, manually operable means for rendering said last-mentioned means effective upon opening of said tub door to effect registry with said door of the compartment nearest the same as determined by the direction of rotation of said cylinder at the time said door is opened, manually operable means adapted for subsequently effecting operation of said motor at reduced speed in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated in a predetermined direction into any one of the compartment and door registering positions, said automatic positioning means being effective upon release of said manually operable means to accurately po ion said cylinder, and cooperating automatically controlled braking means for re ducing overtravel of said cylinder and for finally stopping and holding the same in the selected registered position.

4. In a controller for motor driven Washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically efiecting periodic reversal and acceleration of said motor, means driven by motor and adapted to be rendered efiective for stopping said cylinder in a position wherein a predetermined one of said compartments is in register with said door, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registerin position upon overtravel of said cylinder to either side or" said position, means operable for rendering said last-mentioned means eifective, manually operable means adapted to efiect peration of said motor in one direction under insured conditions or" reduced speed for effecting at will registry of any other of said compartments with said door, and cooperating electro-mechanical braking means rendered effective during the automatic registering operation for reducing overtravel of said cylinder and for stopping and holding the same in said registered position, said braking means being also rendered effective upon release of said manuallyoperable means to stop and hold said cylinder.

15. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a Washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged is in register with said doo said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position upon overtravel of said cylinder to either side of said position, means operable at will for rendering said lastunentioned effective, means comprising a manually operable switch normally biased to open position and adapted during closure thereof to provide for unidirectional operation of said ctor under insured con ditions of reduced spel, said switch when re leased under given conditions being adapted to provide "for automatic registration of any other of said compartments with said door in the manner aforementioned, and cooperating electromechanical braking means rendered effective during at least a portion of said automatic registering operation for reducing overtravel of said cylinder and for finally stopping and holding the same in said registered position.

16. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circurnierentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotataloly driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of said motor, control means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered effective for stopping said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments in register with said door, said last-mentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel of said cylinder to either side of said position, means operable at will for rendering said last-mentioned means eiiective, means comprising a manually operable switch normally biased to open position and adapted during closure thereof to provide for unidirectional operation of said motor under insured conditions of reduced speed, said switch when released under given conditions being adapted to render effective said motor driven control means to insure accurate registry of any other of said compartments with said door, and cooperating electromechanical braking means rendered effective during at least a portion of said automatic registering operation for reducing overtravel or said cylinder and for finally stopping and holding the same in said registered position.

17. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a Washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including for automatically effecting periodic reversal and acceleration of said motor, control means driven by said motor and adapted to be rendered eiiective for stopping said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door, said lastmentioned means being operable automatically to effect operation of said motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated alternately in opposite directions into said compartment and door registering position in the event of overtravel of said cylinder to either side of said position after initiation of the stopping operation, means operable at will for rendering said last-mentioned means effective, means comprising a manually operable switch normally biased to open position and adapted upon temporary closure thereof to effect unidirectional operation of said motor under insured conditions of reduced speed to provide for registry of the next succeeding compartment with said door, said motor driven control means being adapted to insure accurate registry of said compartment with said door, and cooperating electro-rnechanical braking means rendered efiective during at least a portion of the auto- 'matic registering operation for reducing overtravel of said cylinder and for stopping and holding the same in said registered position.

18. In a controller for motor driven washing machines, in combination, a tub having a movable door, a washer cylinder within said tub having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments, a reversible motor for rotatably driving said cylinder, control means for said motor including means for automatically efiecting periodic reversal and acceleration of the same, means operable at will to initiate stopping of said motor, said means including means adapted to be rendered effective for stopping the motor with said cylinder in a position wherein one of said compartments is in register with said door regardless of the instantaneous direction of operation of the motor, said last-mentioned means including means driven by said motor and adapted upon initiation of said stopping operation to automatically effect operation of the motor in a manner whereby said cylinder is rotated through a. decreasing amplitude of oscillation into said compartment and door registering position, and cooperating braking means adapted to be rendered effective upon initiation of the stopping operation for reducing the degree of oscillation of said cylinder and for eventually stopping and holding the same in said registered position.

RALPH G. LOCKE'I'I'. 25 

